Cheapest Cities in California 2026 | Most Affordable Places to Buy

All Affordable Cities in California

#	City	Median Price	Days on Market	Months Supply	YoY Change
1	Buttonwillow	$30K	3 days	2.0 mo	N/A
2	Nubieber	$33K	172 days	—	N/A
3	Ripley	$39K	16 days	—	N/A
4	Igo	$40K	4 days	—	N/A
5	Ocotillo Wells	$40K	145 days	—	N/A
6	Edwards AFB	$42K	24 days	—	N/A
7	Fellows	$43K	68 days	—	N/A
8	Castella	$45K	31 days	3.0 mo	N/A
9	Sugarloaf Mountain Park	$46K	7 days	—	N/A
10	Bieber	$50K	114 days	5.0 mo	N/A
11	Litchfield	$50K	65 days	—	N/A
12	Mountain Gate	$58K	27 days	4.0 mo	N/A
13	Mesa Verde	$65K	54 days	2.0 mo	N/A
14	Baker	$68K	2 days	—	N/A
15	Big River	$70K	232 days	3.0 mo	N/A
16	Panorama Heights	$70K	222 days	2.0 mo	N/A
17	Yucca Grove	$72K	94 days	—	N/A
18	Mettler	$75K	238 days	—	N/A
19	Searles Valley	$77K	14 days	8.0 mo	N/A
20	Johannesburg	$79K	44 days	—	N/A
21	Myers Flat	$80K	283 days	—	N/A
22	Onyx	$80K	424 days	5.0 mo	N/A
23	Stones Landing	$80K	43 days	3.0 mo	N/A
24	Dos Palos Y	$85K	3 days	—	N/A
25	Clearlake Oaks	$85K	26 days	14.5 mo	N/A
26	Alderpoint	$89K	121 days	—	N/A
27	Little Valley	$90K	311 days	—	N/A
28	Paradise Park	$90K	351 days	—	N/A
29	Smith Corner	$90K	8 days	—	N/A
30	Madeline	$100K	47 days	—	N/A
31	Old River	$104K	157 days	—	N/A
32	Weedpatch	$105K	14 days	1.0 mo	N/A
33	Cutler	$106K	3 days	2.0 mo	N/A
34	Lower Lake	$110K	70 days	6.0 mo	N/A
35	Niland	$110K	185 days	—	N/A
36	Three Rocks	$110K	96 days	1.0 mo	N/A
37	Weott	$110K	301 days	3.0 mo	N/A
38	Berry Creek	$115K	31 days	7.0 mo	N/A
39	South Taft	$120K	76 days	9.0 mo	N/A
40	Needles	$123K	57 days	9.3 mo	N/A
41	Cohasset	$125K	27 days	1.0 mo	N/A
42	Esparto	$125K	3 days	4.0 mo	N/A
43	Essex	$125K	266 days	—	N/A
44	Inyokern	$125K	22 days	4.0 mo	N/A
45	Redway	$125K	76 days	4.0 mo	N/A
46	Hoopa	$130K	days	1.0 mo	N/A
47	Yettem	$130K	175 days	—	N/A
48	Palo Verde	$132K	124 days	—	N/A
49	Montgomery Creek	$135K	22 days	1.0 mo	N/A
50	Oak Run	$135K	167 days	—	N/A
51	Hypericum	$136K	287 days	—	N/A
52	Angelus Oaks	$138K	152 days	—	N/A
53	Sugarloaf Saw Mill	$139K	134 days	—	N/A
54	Cedar Slope	$143K	39 days	—	N/A
55	Derby Acres	$145K	45 days	—	N/A
56	Ford City	$145K	46 days	10.0 mo	N/A
57	North Edwards	$145K	124 days	4.0 mo	N/A
58	Ocotillo	$145K	24 days	—	N/A
59	Phillipsville	$145K	323 days	—	N/A
60	Lucerne	$149K	63 days	10.0 mo	N/A
61	McClenney Tract	$149K	64 days	1.0 mo	N/A
62	Alpaugh	$150K	160 days	—	N/A
63	Bombay Beach	$150K	133 days	—	N/A
64	Maricopa	$150K	90 days	2.5 mo	N/A
65	Patton Village	$150K	35 days	4.0 mo	N/A
66	Tupman	$150K	35 days	—	N/A
67	Big Bend	$155K	7 days	2.0 mo	N/A
68	Calexico Lodge	$155K	221 days	—	N/A
69	Challenge-Brownsville	$155K	91 days	7.0 mo	N/A
70	Covelo	$155K	106 days	10.0 mo	N/A
71	Paynes Creek	$155K	79 days	—	N/A
72	Camp Nelson	$160K	193 days	5.0 mo	N/A
73	Glennville	$160K	317 days	1.0 mo	N/A
74	Pierpoint	$160K	102 days	1.0 mo	N/A
75	Winterhaven	$160K	12 days	—	N/A
76	Westwood	$162K	116 days	1.0 mo	N/A
77	Malaga	$165K	178 days	3.0 mo	N/A
78	Monmouth	$165K	10 days	—	N/A
79	Parker Dam	$165K	128 days	—	N/A
80	Taft Heights	$165K	64 days	1.7 mo	N/A
81	Salton Sea Beach	$165K	61 days	—	N/A
82	Newberry Springs	$166K	81 days	1.0 mo	N/A
83	Sierra Village	$166K	58 days	5.0 mo	N/A
84	Nice	$167K	94 days	2.5 mo	N/A
85	Oro Grande	$170K	155 days	—	N/A
86	Paskenta	$170K	308 days	—	N/A
87	Randsburg	$170K	1127 days	—	N/A
88	Frazier Park	$171K	80 days	3.2 mo	N/A
89	French Gulch	$175K	27 days	1.0 mo	N/A
90	Johnson Park	$175K	143 days	3.0 mo	N/A
91	Stirling City	$175K	5 days	—	N/A
92	Waukena	$177K	301 days	—	N/A
93	Robbins	$179K	111 days	—	N/A
94	Fall River Mills	$180K	6 days	6.0 mo	N/A
95	Graniteville	$180K	days	—	N/A
96	Jovista	$180K	145 days	—	N/A
97	West Goshen	$180K	15 days	—	N/A
98	Spaulding	$182K	323 days	6.5 mo	N/A
99	Lenwood	$184K	153 days	5.3 mo	N/A
100	Plainview	$185K	74 days	—	N/A

Affordable Housing in California

Looking for affordable housing in California? We've ranked 100 cities by median home price to help you find budget-friendly options. The most affordable city is Buttonwillow with a median price of $30K.

Tips for Finding Affordable Homes

Look at smaller cities: Often have lower prices than metro areas
Consider commute times: Suburbs may offer better value
Check market trends: Some affordable areas are appreciating quickly
Work with a local agent: They know hidden gems and upcoming areas

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the cheapest cities to buy a house in California?

The most affordable cities in California are listed above, ranked by median home price. These markets offer entry points significantly below the state average, making homeownership accessible for first-time buyers, investors, and those relocating on a budget.

Is it worth buying a cheap house in California?

Affordable California cities can offer excellent value, especially for long-term residents and investors. Key factors to evaluate include local job market strength, school quality, crime rates, and future development plans. A local agent can help you distinguish between genuine value and areas with underlying issues.

Why are some California cities so much cheaper?

Lower home prices in certain California cities reflect factors like smaller population size, distance from major metro areas, limited amenities, or economic transitions. However, many affordable cities offer strong quality of life, growing economies, and appreciation potential that makes them smart buying opportunities.

What salary do I need to buy a house in California's cheapest cities?

In California's most affordable markets, a household income of $40,000-$60,000 may be sufficient to qualify for a mortgage, depending on the specific price point and current interest rates. Use the 28% rule: your monthly housing payment shouldn't exceed 28% of gross monthly income. A local agent and lender can pre-qualify you.

Are cheap houses in California a good investment?

Affordable properties can be excellent investments, especially in California cities with growing populations and economies. Look for markets with rising employment, infrastructure investment, and limited new housing supply. These factors often precede price appreciation, turning today's affordable market into tomorrow's growing one.

Find Real Estate Agents

Popular States

Find by Specialty

Real Estate Guides & Resources

Buying

Selling

Agents

Market Tools

Housing Market Intelligence

Market Data

Best Time to Buy

Analysis

Cheapest Cities in California

Top 10 Most Affordable